Dear John,

Growing up in the 1960s, my parents were the owners and publishers of a local Black newspaper. My father, Lucien, was the president of the Illinois chapter of the NAACP. I like to tell people that in our household, it was expected that as soon as we could walk, we’d be marching as well. I joined my parents in rallies and protests all over – including the famous 1963 March on Washington.

That day, I witnessed history. Alongside other legendary civil rights leaders, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous “I Have A Dream” speech at the Lincoln Memorial to an audience of over 250,000 people. Of course, Dr. King’s powerful words left a permanent mark on the conscience of our country, eventually leading to the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Now, I find myself in Washington DC starting my third term in the House of Representatives. I stand on the shoulders of the giants that came before us, those who fought hard so that people who look like me could reach new heights. It’s my mission to continue the work that they started, and use my platform in Congress to make this country a better, more equitable place.

As Dr. King said, “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” I refuse to back down in my efforts to stop gun violence, ensure reproductive rights, and ease the burdens on working families. It isn’t always easy, but I owe it to my constituents and my colleagues to fight for change that matters.

Today, I’ll be attending a church service and reflecting on the life and legacy of Dr. King. We have so much to learn from this American hero, and his lessons ring just as true today as they did sixty years ago. I hope you’ll join me and spend some time in your communities considering what you can do to make a difference.

With love,
Lucy McBath